Renewed fighting breaks out in southern Sudan

KHARTOUM, March 14, 2004 (dpa) — Renewed fighting between government troops and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) erupted Sunday in the mid- western Upper Nile region of southern Sudan, reports said.

A government source, who requested anonymity, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, dpa that initial figures showed scores of civilians had been killed in pro-government militia attacks on villages close to Malakal town, provincial capital of the Upper Nile region.

In the attack the headquarters of Shilluk Community King Alak was badly damaged, homes set ablaze and cows looted. The attackers also raped women, the source added.

Militias have renewed attacks on Obai, Pakang, Dot, Oweci and the Panyikango areas in the Shilluk Kingdom in the Upper Nile region.

War in the mid-western Upper Nile region started in February when pro-government forces claimed they were first attacked by SPLA fighters in the Tonga area.